Ask English Localization Lead Kate Cwynar Lore & Localization Questions

[Lyth]

The introduction of Akasha/Dynamis has changed up our views around magical effects. For example, Tank Limit Break abilities like Last Bastion, Land Waker, and Dark Force might have been viewed as aetheric abilities, and the Encyclopedia Eorzea suggests that Land Waker utilizes a shockwave to crystallize aether. Yet the Endsinger suggests that these actions are Dynamis. Can you provide some clarity around what sorts of job actions are powered by Aether, and which ones might be the byproduct of Dynamis effects?

[Lyth]

Pandaemonium introduces the concept of a hemitheos, in which a person merges their soul with Creation magic. The Tales from the Shadows story 'Through His Eyes' suggests that a similar event occurred accidentally between a stray soul and the Phoinix. Is this a similar process to how Zodiark and Hydaelyn's Hearts functioned? On a related note, does becoming the 'Will of the Star' entail functioning as a 'Heart' for the entire planet?

[Lyth]

Can you describe how Zodiark's powers worked and what their limitations were? The explanation we have for how He prevented the Final Days involved Him speeding up the celestial aethercurrents. How did He create new life - was He able to create new beings from nothing, or did He influence the lifestream to increase the birth rate? Were any of the second generation of souls born from His actions considered to be new peoples?

[Lyth]

In the Void Quests on the First (The Hero's Journey/One Step Closer/A Bounty of Hunters), we learn that portals connecting a Shard to the Void are also known as 'Hollows'. During the Void Arc questline, several bosses use this same 'Hollow' term as a prefix (i.e. Diabolos Hollow). Does this signify that they had crossed over to the Source directly by means of a portal, rather than having just their souls transferred across by means of a vessel/contract?

[Nagoto]

Do we see Melee moving away from Positionals?

With the last positional "heavy" job of Monk being trimmed down in Endwalker, going forward do you feel Positionals are in the same vein as TP or every class having a DoT? With True North charges and each Job really only have 2 positional GCDs, it feels like they have become more of a tack on than a form of skill expression we could possibly do without.

[Bassets]

Was Azys Lla built in the same area as Elpis was? Both were floating research facilities of similar size.

[Laun_dingo]

Hi Kate!

These questions might be one that may go left unanswered for future story reasons or not really EW related.
I always wondered about the elementals in Gridania and how they were created and what or who created them? I also wonder how the Seedseer felt towards those living in Gridania who are Duskwight Elezen as well as Keepers of the moon Miqote (also where do the Keepers originate from) and whether she was aware of what is going on with their poor living situation and treatment? Aside from that is there any lore relevance to the Necromancer from the Palace of the dead and whoever created that place to begin with and their purpose aside form just making an undead army? Always wondered what is up with that?

Thank you for your patience in reading these questions.

[Laun_dingo]

Hi Kate,

I just wanted to ask one at the very least (since i'm unable to edit or delete previous one)

In Endwalker, Nophica only hears reports from the elementals but it was never told if she made them or not, and for what reason? Just not sure if it was clear if she made them from those who prayed at her stone to save the shroud from Calamities?

[Laun_dingo]

I wonder where Amon/Hermes was taken when Asahi dragged him into a dark portal? Felt like a loose end since even when Metion at the end of Endwalker also wonders if Hermes will ever find the answers?

I seldom consider there ever being a 7 Hells as literal place (with it being mentioned in passing in Pandemonium Anabaseious 12) in the story, but the possibility of him being dragged to a place elsewhere in the Atherial sea is not out of the realm of possibilities.

[Kaliesto]

Hello Kathryn Cwynar! My question is will the lore & mystery surrounding the Duskwight Elezens & Gelmorra be more unveiled at some point in the future of FFXIV? From what I've learned it was somewhat going to be explored in FFXIV 1.0, but then 2.0 happened and we never got to fully resolve that mystery.